two.

[thraxios]

The number of books available in the library is astounding. If not for the lack of comfortable bedding, I think I should be content to live there permanently.

I've started with books of philosophy; the selection is wide and many of the writers, unknown to me. They do present a curious problem, however, since most of them come from unfamiliar cultures.

A great number expect familiarity with a figure called Jesus Christ, which has stymied me for the moment. From what I've been able to gather, he was the central martyr or pacifist god of a mystery cult (perhaps both?). It seems a remarkably well-traveled one, which makes it all the more intriguing.

Reading with that assumption in mind is enough to make sense of the text. It's clear, however, that a deeper familiarity with the cult's theological tenets is required to fully appreciate the writers' arguments.

If anyone reading this is better acquainted with "Christianity," any recommendations for introductory readings would be appreciated. Its holy texts are rather long, and thus far, they offer little in the way of context.

[And if you're interested in bugging him, Gideon can be found in the library. He's sitting a table stacked high with books and sheets of paper, on which he's taking careful notes with pen and ink. Someday we've gotta introduce this boy to ballpoint pens. Among the open books are an atlas open to a map of the Mediterranean, several books of philosophy, a King James Bible, and his wax tablet (just in case).]

Comments

[hellshaped]

What about you? Do you follow a religion?

[thraxios]

I do.

[hellshaped]

Does it have a name? [Not that it'll mean anything to him, but...]

locked to hellboy

[thraxios]

It's generally referred to as the cult of the White-Eyed Lady, when it is referred to at all.

[Gideon can see why tit for tat might seem fair, but he doesn't enjoy talking about his goddess to relative strangers. Best to divert if he can.]

Are you also interested in other religions, Messire Hellboy?

gideon forever

[hellshaped]

[Oh, a filter? Well, that's fine. He figures it must just be a personal subject, so he filters right back.]

Sort of. I used to be a paranormal investigator, so it's just kind of habit.

[thraxios]

[With the topic now changed, Gideon isn't sure the filter is necessary, but things might move back again to his faith. And that is a subject he considers deeply personal, and--among some parties--dangerous to speak of openly. Best, he thinks, to continue to filter, just in case.]

A paranormal investigator? What kind of investigations did you undertake?

[hellshaped]

Anything regarding the supernatural or paranormal affecting humans, basically. Hauntings, werewolf attacks, vampires... that sort of thing. A lot of them are specific to a certain culture's religion or mythology, so having a good general knowledge of that is helpful.

[thraxios]

It sounds fascinating - and useful. There's no equivalent where I'm from; the very idea would cause a riot in at least one school of magical thought.

[hellshaped]

It helps that a lot of people don't believe in that sort of thing where I come from, too.

[thraxios]

It's a covert organization, then?

[hellshaped]

Not really. Most people just don't believe in it unless they see it firsthand, even if sometimes it's in the papers.

[thraxios]

So it's hiding in plain sight. It's amazing what people will allow themselves not to believe in.

[hellshaped]

Pretty much. I grew up around this kind of stuff, so it was easier for me. But sometimes you get the really stubborn ones who just won't accept it.